They haven't scratched from the race for novices (8)
I believe the answer is:
starters
'for novices' is the definition.
(starter is a kind of novice)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for starters that I've seen before include "Prawn cocktail" , "Competitors entered for a race" , "officials at Aintree, say" , "Bruschetta or soup, perhaps" , "Banquet's beginning" .)